House Speaker Thom Tillis announced that he expects a budget deal to be finalized by Friday, and votes would be held on the spending plan next Tuesday and Wednesday. That would allow the Senate to take it up later Wednesday and Thursday.

Tying up loose ends before the close of session, the Senate unveiled a new voter identification bill that is more restrictive than a House version approved in April. The bill is expected to be voted on Friday.

The Senate also brought back to life bills that would allow the Wake County Board of Commissioners to assume control of public school buildings in the county and that would prohibit family courts from considering foreign laws in any cases.

42_wral_mods_suck_i'm_goneJul 19, 2013

The light at the end of this legislative session tunnel is the oncoming locomotive, aimed head-on at the working class people of North Carolina who will see higher taxes, more violence, poorer education, and an ever coarser society.

+2

sisuJul 19, 2013

The light at the end of this legislative session tunnel is the oncoming locomotive, aimed head-on at the working class people of North Carolina who will see higher taxes, more violence, poorer education, and an ever coarser society.

Amen.

kdogwncJul 19, 2013

The light at the end of this legislative session tunnel is the oncoming locomotive, aimed head-on at the working class people of North Carolina who will see higher taxes, more violence, poorer education, and an ever coarser society.